Free Web NovelChapter 50: Chapter 50 Royal Concubine
Silence settled over the chamber once again.
The leading elder looked toward Xue Yao, who still sat on the floor, hugging Honghong tightly, before turning back to Lie Lang. "We have spent centuries believing every breeder who entered your chamber died because they could not endure your bloodline. After witnessing what happened today, I no longer believe that is the complete truth. Whatever is hidden inside her did not merely reject our soul-search. It protected her. I believe it is also the reason she survived the night with you."
Lie Lang looked at Xue Yao again. She was no longer listening to the conversation.
Her eyes remained fixed on Honghong as she gently stroked the little bird’s feathers. Guilt filled her face, as though she blamed herself for everything that had happened.
The leading elder broke the silence once more. "Alpha, we must continue the inspection."
Lie Lang slowly turned his head.
"The power inside her is unlike anything we have ever seen. If we gather the Grand Elders, we may be able to break through its protection... we almost did before you interrupted."
"No." Lie Lang replied sternly.
If he allowed them to continue with the search, wouldn’t that expose his lies and cause the death penalty to Xue Yao?
The elder frowned. "Alpha, this concerns the future of the clan."
"It concerns my breeder. As you said, her powers made it possible for her to survive mating with me. You have already reached your conclusion. You believed her power protected her, then why continue forcing your way into her soul? " Lie Lang’s gaze instantly became as sharp as a blade.
Without another word, he walked past the elders and stopped before Xue Yao.
She looked up at him in confusion. "You... what took you so long..."
Lie Lang’s gaze lingered on her pale face. "We’ll talk later."
He bent down and slipped one arm beneath her knees while the other supported her back.
Before Xue Yao understood what was happening, she was already lifted into his arms.
"W-Wait... I can walk."
"I know." His voice remained calm.
Honghong weakly climbed onto Xue Yao’s lap and glared proudly at everyone in the room. She didn’t even have the energy to speak.
The leading elder’s face darkened. "Alpha."
Lie Lang finally turned around.
"You would place a single breeder above the interests of the White Moon Wolf Clan?"
His golden eyes met the elder’s without the slightest doubt. "Who told you...that she is still a breeder?"
The room fell completely silent.
Even Xue Yao stared at him in shock. ’What is he up to now? Don’t put me in trouble and just take me away already!’
Lie Lang’s voice remained calm. "From this day forward, Bai Xue Yao will no longer hold the status of breeder. She shall reside within my palace. As for her new status..."
He paused for only a heartbeat before continuing. "She is now a Royal Concubine."
Ruo Shuo’s face instantly lost all color. She stared at Lie Lang in complete disbelief.
"Brother Lie Lang..." Her voice trembled. "You... you cannot be serious."
Lie Lang looked at her calmly, his gaze softening a bit. ’Ruo Shuo, I’m doing this for you, for us... I’m afraid you have to bear with me for a while.’
"I am." He replied.
The leading elder’s expression became solemn. "Alpha, this decision is far too hasty."
"It is my decision, and you already confirm she has a strong bloodline. what else do you want?" Lie Lang frowned.
"If we search her memories, we will know which bloodline she has, or if she was blessed by an ancient god." The elder with the rune on his forehead reasoned. "If we uncover that power, it could change the future of the White Moon Wolf Clan." His voice dropped lower.
’Hell no! That cannot absolutely happen, you power-hungry wolf... Lie Lang, don’t you dare agree.’ Xue Yao panicked inwardly.
Lie Lang tightened his hold on Xue Yao slightly. "Impossible, as long as she is my concubine and has done nothing to harm this clan, she remains under my protection. You can’t touch her."
The leading elder opened his mouth to object again, but Lie Lang’s voice cut him off. "If any one of you wishes to investigate her again...obtain the Grand Alpha’s approval first."
Those words immediately silenced the room. No elder, regardless of status, could disregard the authority of the Grand Alpha.
Lie Lang gave them one final glance before turning toward the doorway. "No one touches her."
The chamber remained deathly silent as Lie Lang carried Xue Yao toward the entrance.
None of the five elders spoke again.
Even Ruo Shuo stood frozen where she was, her eyes fixed on the human in his arms. Her nails dug into her palms until they nearly drew blood, yet she felt nothing. The words Royal Concubine echoed endlessly inside her mind, refusing to disappear.
The moment Lie Lang stepped out of the chamber, every guard standing outside immediately lowered their heads.
"Greetings, Alpha."
Their voices were respectful, but their eyes could not help drifting toward Xue Yao for a brief moment before quickly looking away.
Xue Yao wished she could disappear.
She buried her face against Lie Lang’s chest and gritted her teeth inwardly. ’Why is everyone looking at me? I can walk perfectly fine. Just put me down already.’
She cautiously tugged at the front of his robe weakly.
"Lie Lang..." she whispered. "Can you... put me down now?"
"No." His answer came without the slightest hesitation.
"But everyone is watching... your Ruo Shuo will get mad... I don’t want any more drama." She weakly said.
"They may watch... you are already in the drama. You can’t run away."
Xue Yao almost choked. ’This man... Why is he making things more difficult for me?’
Honghong weakly rested on Xue Yao. Although she looked exhausted, her eyes proudly swept across the surrounding guards as if silently declaring that her master was the greatest.
The servants they passed quickly stepped aside, lowering their heads in respect, but whispers still spread quietly after they were gone.
"Isn’t that the human breeder?"
"I heard the elders personally came to inspect her."
"Then why is the Alpha carrying her?"
"Didn’t you hear? She’s no longer a breeder."
"What?"
"She has been promoted to Royal Concubine."
The voices became softer as Lie Lang walked farther away, yet they continued spreading through the palace.
Xue Yao heard every single word. She slowly closed her eyes. ’Wonderful... just wonderful.’
’I only wanted to survive. How did I suddenly become a Royal Concubine?’
Her thoughts drifted back to Tian Lan. She quietly called inside her mind. ’Tian Lan...?’
No answer came. The silence inside her consciousness frightened her far more than the curious gazes around her.
She lowered her head and stared weakly at Honghong, lying so weak on her, forcing herself not to think about the worst possibility.
Lie Lang glanced down at her. Since leaving the chamber, she had not complained again.
She had become unusually quiet. Without saying another word, he tightened his hold on her slightly and continued walking toward the royal palace.
